ANC transport spokesperson, Lulama Mvimbi, called for the suspension of acting chief director of traffic management, Farrel Payne, who was charged with sexual assault, crimen injuria and attempting to commit a sex act in October 2020, as reported by News24.
Payne has remained in his post 8 months after the sexual assault, which raised many questions regarding why the matter has not been dealt with yet.
According to IOL, Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC, Daylin Mitchell addressed queries surrounding this matter, saying: “While the claims against the acting chief director of traffic management are considered to be serious in terms of the legal prescripts, this is not the only factor that needs to be considered.
“A decision not to suspend the acting chief director was based on a fair and objective assessment of all the relevant factors that need to be considered before an employee is suspended as a precautionary measure,” he added.
Mvimbi had this to say: “Eight months after the complaint was submitted, the internal investigation has been finalised and the report was sent to the HOD.
“We would like to know who conducted the investigation, was it an independent investigator or officials from the department?
“The DA is quick to call on others where it’s not governing to be fired or suspended pending outcomes of investigations. Yet in the Western Cape, it hides behind legislation to protect alleged predators,” he said.
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